Fierce, Feminine, and Faithful

What does it mean to be female, an athlete, and a Catholic? Samantha Kelley, president of FIERCE Athlete (and a fierce athlete herself) shares wisdom from the Bible and the Catholic faith about female identity, competition, and running the race of life. Learn what biblical woman she thinks most exemplifies “fierce”—and pray with the scripture that both encourages and challenges her in the race.

Samantha Kelley is the founder and president of FIERCE Athlete, which promotes true and authentic identity and femininity within female athletics, and author of Be FIERCE: The Athlete’s Guide to Growing Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually. She contributed biblical reflections on true competition, handling discouragement, and the gift of constant prayer to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible. Check out the FIERCE Athlete website for more information about Samantha, FIERCE Athlete, and the FIERCE Podcast.

Take Samantha’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour 

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today. 

Read the Word: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10  

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes.)

[Jesus said to Paul,] “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you? 

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care. 

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?